Materials Scientist IFE Target Manufacture - Target Fabrication

Contract Type: 1-year fixed-term contract (With the intent to extend to 3 years)

Location: The role is based at the Science and Technology Facilities Council, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Harwell, Oxfordshire due to the nature of the work

Closing Date: 27th August 2025 

Come and discover the kind of impact you can make when you work with some of the best facilities and brightest scientists in the world. 

An exciting opportunity exists to join the Central Laser Facility (CLF), at the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, to work on the UK Programme of Laser Inertial Fusion Technology for Energy (UPLiFT). This is a four-year £10M research programme funded by the UK government’s Department for Energy Security and Net Zero. UPLiFT’s goal is to develop key science and technologies which will be required to realise power generation via laser inertial fusion; Inertial Fusion Energy (IFE). The successful candidate will be a member of a large multi-disciplinary team working on UPLiFT’s targetry work package.

We are seeking to develop cutting-edge technologies in fusion target manufacture to support experimental campaigns and to enhance the UK’s capability to field IFE targetry. Technologies to achieve this include microfluidic production of capsules, advanced chemical and physical characterisation techniques, and manufacture of low-density samples. Current state of the art inertial confinement fusion (ICF) targets are thin-walled hydrocarbon spheres, which have extremely high tolerances and need thorough characterisation. 

As part of the Science and Technologies Facilities Council (STFC), the CLF contains many state-of-the-art laser systems and experimental stations, along with expert scientists, engineers and technicians that work with academic and industry users to deliver science across a broad range of fields. The CLF has around 200 staff and it is a very friendly, outgoing, externally facing sort of place. It has a welcoming and inclusive culture, and you will find that people will naturally help and support you.

About the role 

You will join the Target Fabrication team and support the UPLiFT project developing techniques for spherical shell target production on a microfluidic capsule system. The CLF currently has a microfluidic system produced in-house, you will be responsible for operating it, optimising it to meet changing target requirements, and developing characterisation methods for the capsules produced. Capsule characterisation will require using the CLF’s extensive high-precision analytical tools to measure parameters such as sphericity, shell wall thickness and surface roughness. The exacting nature of ICF capsule requirements mean that metrology is fundamental to the wider aim of producing fusion energy through inertial confinement.

You will work with university collaborators to understand the chemical dynamics of shell production and you will engage with the wider UPLiFT team to understand the target parameters that are required and report on the capabilities of the production methods. You will also engage with external experts and collaborators in the UK and around the world to gain knowledge and to enhance the research capabilities of the group. In addition, you will support experimental campaigns that align with the UPLiFT program and work closely with the experimental scientists to achieve the highest quality targets for their experiments. 

The key areas of the role will include: 

• Operating basic microfluidic systems, producing parameter-response relationships.
• Develop and apply diagnostic techniques for microstructural analysis, surface integrity, and chemical composition (e.g., SEM, microCT, Raman, AFM).
• Collaborate with physicists, target designers, and fabrication engineers to optimize material properties for extreme conditions (high pressures, temperatures, radiation).
• Engaging with the user community to determine the requirements and the scientific direction of targetry within the UPLiFT project.
• Production of low-density samples using photopolymerisation processes and development of new and novel production processes.
• Working closely with other technical areas of the project responsible for the target design and reporting back results and capabilities.
• Supporting the wider experimental capabilities of the target fabrication group where required.

About You 

You will have a Master’s degree, PhD or relevant experience in a discipline related to materials science (e.g. chemistry, physics) as well having experience in a relevant scientific area and experience working independently on development of processes. 

You should have experience of target fabrication science. You will be familiar with target manufacture facilities and user support and will have experience in managing your own projects.

With good interpersonal skills you should have the ability to work as part of a team of individuals with a varying range of knowledge and experience.

You will have experience in modelling or simulations and be able to apply that knowledge to the design of foam structures.

Person Specification 

The following criteria will be assessed at Shortlisting (S), Interview (I) or both (S&I)

• Master’s degree or PhD in a discipline related to materials science (or equivalent experience). (S)
• Knowledge of materials characterisation techniques. (S&I)
• Experience in the development of procedures for manufacturing accurate, repeatable micro parts. (S&I)
• Able to work as part of a team and seek novel solutions to problems.(I)
• Previous experience in the management of projects. (S&I)

To apply please click the 'Apply' button above.

We ask some of the biggest questions in the universe, to answer some of the biggest challenges in the world. Whatever our role, we have the freedom to explore, learn and connect, as part of a community that loves to share knowledge and support one another.

As one of Europe’s largest research organisations, this is a place where there’s always something new to learn – about the world around us, about your career, but most of all, about yourself. Join us and discover what’s possible. 

STFC values their employees by offering a benefits package designed to provide an excellent work/life balance including 30 days’ annual leave, 10.5 public and privilege holidays, flexible working hours, exceptional average salary pension scheme, social and sporting activities and societies and a subsidised restaurant.

For more information, please visit www.clf.stfc.ac.uk or contact Christopher.Spindloe@stfc.ac.uk 

Please note: if you will require sponsorship to work in the UK, as part of your sponsorship application, you and any dependants travelling with you, will be required to pay costs directly to The Home Office for the application before you start your role with us. UKRI is normally able to reimburse some, or all of these fees after you have become an employee and this can be discussed with the Hiring Manager. For more information, please visit https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa/how-much-it-costs or contact Recruitment@ukri.org.